Protesters use battering ram to break into Hong Kong government building

By Deputy Chief EditorJuly 1, 2019

167 2 minutes read

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With the support of a huge crowd of protesters, a group wearing hard hats used a heavy duty trolley as a battering ram to break through the glass walls of a government building in Hong Kong.

Protesters stormed the Legislative Council on the 22nd anniversary of the citys 1997 return to Chinese rule on Monday amid widespread anger over planned laws that would allow extraditions to China.

A small group, mostly students wearing hard hats and masks, used the metal trolley, poles and pieces of scaffolding to hack through reinforced glass and charge at the government compound near the heart of the financial centre.

Riot police in helmets and carrying batons fired pepper spray in response in a standoff that was lasting into the sweltering heat of the evening.

At the same time, thousands of others marched towards the government building in protest at a change to extradition laws to allow Hong Kong suspects to be sent to China to face trial.

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SIPA USA via PA Images Anti government protesters seen equipped with gas masks and umbrellas to protect themselves from possible tear gas and pepper spray usage by the police. Thousands of anti government protesters faced off with riot police and occupy major roads around the Hong Kong government complex during the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong return to Chinese rule. (Photo by Miguel Candela / SOPA Images/Sipa USA) — Anti-government protesters equipped with gas masks and umbrellas to protect from tear gas (Picture: PA)

Riot police use pepper spray as protesters try to break into the Legislative Council building during the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China in Hong Kong, China July 1, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu — Riot police use pepper spray as protesters try to break into the governments building (Picture: AFP/Getty)

epaselect epa07686487 Protesters smash window of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China, 01 July 2019. Anti-extradition bill protesters vowed to disrupt a flag-raising ceremony on 01 July 2019. On 01 July, Hong Kong marks the 1997 transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong from Britain to China. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO — Protesters smash a glass panel at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong (Picture: EPA)

The proposal has increased fears people in the territory will lose the freedoms they gained when the former British colony was returned to China in 1997.

Leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, has come under fire for trying to push through the legislation and called protests that have disrupted the city in recent weeks have taught her that she needs to listen better.

She said: This has made me fully realise that I, as a politician, have to remind myself all the time of the need to grasp public sentiments accurately.

She insisted her government has good intentions, but said: I will learn the lesson and ensure that the governments future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community.

Two marches in June against the extradition legislation drew more than a million people, according to organisers.

The government suspended debate on the bill indefinitely on June 15 as a result, but protest leaders want it formally withdrawn and are calling for Ms Lams resignation.